A/N: Finished most of our Irma-geddon clean up and I want to relax! This may be the last chapter (for a while) in this little fic. My mind wants to write more of my "prequel", Pressure Points – a series of AerTi centric moments set within the original game and sets the scene for Slow Hands. I will probably continue to tweak this though.
And, if anyone has any fic requests/prompts for more Aerith/Tifa I'm open to writing one shots.
Please R&R!
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Tifa had never felt compelled to buy an alarm clock. Through discipline and training, her body was tuned into rising around the same time day in, day out. Though there were exceptions, and last night was one of them. What she did feel, was withdrawn from reality. She felt...complete? Waking up with Aerith next to her wasn't necessarily new; they'd spent many nights sharing rooms at hotels, inns and tents. Early on in their friendship, each night, Aerith would find an excuse to share Tifa's sleeping space. Whether it be bad dreams, bad weather, ill health...it didn't matter. She'd quickly grown very fond of her and looked forward to that time of the day.
Since Aerith's return though... time had passed. Tifa had matured and changed in her own right. When Cloud brought her home, they'd agreed that Aerith would take the spare room during the nights that she wasn't visiting Mom.
Shiva she'd missed this. Their time. She wasn't sure what time they'd fallen into a slumber. She couldn't keep her hands to herself last night, and Aerith returned her affection with as much fervor. Her kisses were unnaturally sweet, her delicately rough hands touched her in places she'd never thought being so receptive was possible. Feeling her heart flutter, she hoped she'd been able to please Aerith as well as Aerith unraveled her.
Sitting up, the arm that had been draped lazily over Tifa's waist slid. Turning, she peered at Aerith still deep in sleep; her chest rising and falling softly with every breath and her face absent of her trademark smile. As best as she could, Tifa lifted herself out of bed and pulled on her clothes. Bending down, she kissed the Cetra's temple and turned to make a start on the day's list of chores downstairs.
"-YELP!" Tifa shrieked.
Aerith's hand bolted from her side and grasped Tifa's wrist, pulling her back onto the bed.
"You didn't think I'd let you escape that easily did you?" Aerith was still turned away from her, eyes closed but grinning into the pillow.
"I'm happy you remembered something I taught you. That's one hell of a grip." Tifa frowned, "I still have to work Aerith."
"I remember everything," She opened her eyes slightly, and she smiled a little more. "Call Yuffie. She can cover. Come back to bed."
Tifa chuckled, and shook her head. "You're silly. We'll never have any privacy if I ask her to cover. She'll pillage my bar and want to ask too many questions."
"Hmph."
"I love you?"
"Dork. I love you too." Aerith mewled, grabbing Tifa's tank and pulled her into a kiss.
She stood up, and straightened her clothes. "Later, okay?"
"You better believe it, hussy." Aerith turned back over, and encompassed the space Tifa had occupied in bed.
"Stay here, rest. I'll bring you coffee and something to eat."
"Tifa?" Aerith's voice was muffled by the pillows.
"…" Turning, she hesitated at the door.
"You'd look better cooking our breakfast naked."
"Did I turn off the part of your brain that filters what comes out of your mouth? Gods you're terrible!" Tifa laughed, and walked downstairs.
Yes. I could definitely get used to this.
"Sooooo. What's new, buttercup?" Reno took another drag from his cigarette, exhaling the puff of smoke.
Aerith waved her hands to clear the air, and finished the last of her martini. Watching Tifa interact with her other paying patrons, the barmaid shot a smile at her. In turn, Aerith failed to suppress a satisfied smile.
Reno continued, "She dragged you into the hallway 45 minutes ago. You both returned with flushed faces 10 minutes later and she's wearing your smudged lipstick on her neck. She's proud of it too, even if she did redden when that old geezer asked about it."
Smugly, Aerith sucked her bottom lip in, musing. Plucking the fruit from the bottom of the glass, she sucked the flesh clean from the core of the maraschino cherry. "She tastes delicious." Her gaze returned to Tifa, watching her pour liquor into a shaker.
His blue eyes bulged, coughing on his brown drink. "Woah now. Easy girly, you're makin' my night a lot harder."
"Just don't defile the bathroom while you're adjusting your pants. My girlfriend will kick your pastey white butt."
"Heh. I'll take my chances." She felt his eyes rake over her as he left.
Tifa strode back over to Aerith, clearing the empty glass into the dishwasher. She looked at her quizzically, "What was that about?"
"Don't be mad... but I couldn't help myself and Reno knows and he's probably thinking about us right now. In the restroom."
Tifa pursed her lips, wine eyes looking at Aerith from under her luscious lashes, "I don't really think I care that he knows really. But I did just hear fenrir pull into the garage so I think I'll let Cloud see to him. I don't think he sees it as punishment when I have to deal with him anyway." She laughed lightly, stroking her thumb over Aerith's knuckles that she'd pulled over to hold.
"Poor Cloud though." Aerith giggled, dimples rupturing across her cheeks.
"I'll be back in a few... watch the bar for me? Your guardstick is under the countertop if you need it."
"No need..." The Cetra pulled a dark green materia from her braid. "Sleep will do just fine." She winked.
Tifa smiled shyly, pulling her gaze from Aerith's cheek, "You know I adore that about you right?
"Huh, my dimples or..." She sang, grinning sunshine, flowers and happiness again.
"Well duh but you never want to hurt anyone if you can avoid it. Whereas I can't help but become a bit of a menace when I get pissed."
"I love that you're fiercely protective over your family Tifa, and that's all I'm going to say. Go see Cloud."
She wasn't too fond of being in the garage. The smell of burnt carbon and the heightened carbon monoxide/dioxide levels caused her to choke every time. This was one of his luxuries though, being in his 'man cave' and playing with the toys bought from his labors from operating his delivery service so she tried not to complain.
"Hey Cloud."
"Hi, Tifa." He smiled, setting Tsurugi on it's wall mounting and pulling his goggles from his ever untamed hair.
She leaned against the work bench, her eyes wandering over the collection of tools he'd pulled out. She'd hazard a guess that he intended his evening to be spent tuning up the bike. "I hate to rush you, but we have a Reno problem."
"When don't you have a Reno problem?" Cloud sighed, chuckling. Reno was helpless. To this day, he didn't buy into the idea that he really was a Turk. He belonged in the former HoneyBee Inn. Hey... I wonder if they rebuilt in Edge... He shook his head, dismissing the thought.
"Well, when you get a minute. He's in the mens' room...and I wanted to say thank you."
"Gee thanks for saving him for me. You don't need to thank me, I haven't gotten rid of him yet." He stood straighter, watching Tifa. He caught a glimpse of the wildly misplaced lipstick stain adorning her neck. Oh!
"No...Cloud. Thank you. For pushing me to do the right thing."
Cloud walked over to her, and pulled her into a hug. "Anytime, Tifa."
She returned his embrace, and pulled back. "And take a damn shower too... you stink!"
"Not before your favorite red head leaves. I don't want him getting any...ideas."
She punched his shoulder lightly, following him into the bar. She hesitated by the mens' room, as Cloud entered. His footsteps halted.
"Hey baby, I've been waiting for yo- YIKES! CLOUD! What the hell man?!"
"I'm hurt Reno! You weren't waiting for me too? I can go find my purple dress if you want."
Aerith snorted as Tifa returned bar-side. Hearing the commotion, her hands steepled over the bridge of her nose. A little of Zack still found it's way into Cloud's mannerisms, even now.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-